Healthy Shamrock Shakes!
Warning: Adult language
Please do not read any further if you are offended by adult language.
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Sheeeeeeeeeeet Willis... look at what we got here. Now I'm not Irish, in fact according to my ancestry DNA kit, not even a tiny drop. But I do love me some Shamrock Shake action. I like rainbows too, but I have to admit that pots of gold are my fav. I mean really, who doesn't like pots of gold, right? The last time I found one I was eight years old wearing my Girl Scout uniform trying to earn a new badge. I forget what kind of badge, some kind of a quest badge maybe. Oh who am I kidding, I can't remember my name most days, the hell if I can remember 200 years ago when I was Brownie scout. But whatevs, point is I'm due to find another pot of gold soon. I can feel it. But for right now I'm gonna revel in the fact that I can slurp up yummy St. Patty Day shakes without worrying about my ass growing bigger. It's also a nice bonus knowing that I won't grow a second alien head from a bunch of harmful ingredients.
Today I'm offering up seven different versions of the famous Shamrock Shake, without the poison of course. Six of these versions are healthy and completely guilt-free! One of them, the copycat version, well it isn't considered healthy but it's certainly void of all of the nasty chemicals that Ronald McDonald serves up. But I'm gonna go ahead and say that the seventh treat should still be considered guilt-free... because life is too short to deprive yourself 24/7.
Speaking of what old Ronnie McNasty is servin' up, did you ever wonder what's in a Shamrock Shake? I mean, if you think about it, it seems like there'd only be a few ingredients, right? Some kind of ice cream-milk-minty combo, right? Wrong.
A lot of things about the above image disturbs me, but I am completely blown away by the amount of sugar in these shakes! OMG! What? Did you ever wonder how sugar grams translate into teaspoons of sugar? Well lucky for you I know the answer! One teaspoon equals 4 grams (4.2 grams to be exact). So if you'd get your ass in the car right now and go buy a medium Shamrock shake, the pic below shows you how much sugar you'll scarf down before you even get back home. Pretty scary if you ask me.
{Just wanted to mention here, because I know someone will point it out at some point, that I do NOT recommend eating maraschino cherries. I have them in my images because the red color makes the pictures pop and they are pretty to look at. But they are very unhealthy! I think a lot of people think they're harmless because they are cherries after all but after they're processed to become maraschino cherries, they basically aren't even real food anymore. Maraschino cherries are made by bleaching the cherries with sulfur dioxide and calcium chloride until they turn yellow. This process also removes all of the original flavor (WTF?). Then they're marinated in high fructose corn syrup mixed with red #40 food dye for 2-3 weeks! So ya... leave that shit on the shelf.}
Okay, so back to this sugar nightmare...
Keep in mind also that these deets are for a medium shake. The large shake has even more horrifying numbers: 800 calories, 14g fat, 131g carbohydrates, 0g fiber, 113g sugar, 19g protein. That is more sugar than an adult woman is supposed to have in almost six days!
The days of putting yourself into a damn sugar coma for the sake of a couple yummy sips are over. Browse through all seven of the shamrock versions below and pick the one that best suits you... and gulp it down knowing that you're not sending your pancreas into extreme distress and you won't crash like a plane with no engine a half hour after you drink it.
Enjoy!
THE LOW CALORIE SHAMROCK SHAKE
MAKES 1 SHAKE
WHATCHU NEED:
1 cup Halo Vanilla Bean Ice Cream OR preferred low-calorie vanilla ice cream
1 cup baby spinach, de-stemmed, loosely packed (don't panic, you can't even taste it!)
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk (the kind in the dairy section NOT in the can, I use Silk) OR preferred low-calorie milk
1/4 teaspoon pure mint extract
Optional: Fat-free whipped cream
WHATCHU DO:
Throw everything in the blender and blend until all spinach bits are puréed.
NOTES:
Of course you can add more extract for a stronger flavor, add more spinach for a stronger color, or more milk for a different consistency. Just keep tasting and tweaking to get your desired taste.
I prefer not to use food coloring because of the dyes, but you can use a few drops to achieve a brighter green. If using food coloring, you can omit the spinach if you'd like.
Nutritional Information: 171 Calories, 8g fat, 27g carbohydrates, 7g fiber, 10g sugar, 10g sugar alcohol, 11g protein, 10g net carbs
More Low Calorie Recipes
THE FAT-FREE (and low calorie) SHAMROCK SHAKE
MAKES 1 SHAKE
WHATCHU NEED:
1 very ripe banana, sliced and frozen
1 cup skim milk OR preferred fat-free milk
1/2 cup baby spinach, de-stemmed and ripped in small pieces, loosely packed (don't panic, you can't even taste it!)
4 regular-sized ice cubes
2 teaspoons granulated stevia* (I use the brand Pyure)
1/4 teaspoon pure mint extract
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Optional: Fat-free whipped cream
WHATCHU DO:
Throw everything in the blender and blend until all spinach bits are puréed.
NOTES:
*Each brand of stevia, as well as any other non-calorie sweetener, varies greatly in sweetness. Start by adding 1 teaspoon at a time and taste test it until you reach your desired sweetness. The amount in this recipe is my preferred sweetness (and I have a pretty strong sweet tooth!).
Of course you can add more extract for a stronger flavor, add more spinach for a stronger color, or more ice or milk for a different consistency. Just keep tasting and tweaking to get your desired taste.
I prefer not to use food coloring because of the dyes, but you can use a few drops to achieve a brighter green. If using food coloring, you can omit the spinach if you'd like.
Nutritional Information: 150 Calories, 0g fat, 34g carbohydrates, 3g fiber, 21g sugar (from natural sources), 5g protein, 31g net carbs
Try these healthy sides recipes!
THE KETO SHAMROCK SHAKE
MAKES 1 SHAKE
WHATCHU NEED:
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk (the kind in the dairy section NOT in the can, I use Silk)
1/4 cup baby spinach, de-stemmed and ripped in small pieces, loosely packed (don't panic, you can't even taste it!)
1/2 small avocado (again, don't panic)
4 regular-sized ice cubes
2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
2 1/2 teaspoons granulated stevia* (I use the brand Pyure)
1/4 teaspoon pure mint extract
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
WHATCHU DO:
Throw everything in the blender and blend until all spinach bits are puréed.
NOTES:
*Each brand of stevia, as well as any other non-calorie sweetener, varies greatly in sweetness. Start by adding 1 teaspoon at a time and taste test it until you reach your desired sweetness. The amount in this recipe is my preferred sweetness (and I have a pretty strong sweet tooth!).
Of course you can add more extract for a stronger flavor, add more spinach for a stronger color, or more ice or milk for a different consistency. Just keep tasting and tweaking to get your desired taste.
I prefer not to use food coloring because of the dyes, but you can use a few drops to achieve a brighter green. If using food coloring, you can omit the spinach if you'd like.
Nutritional Information: 275 Calories, 31g fat (healthy fats), 13g carbohydrates, 10g fiber, 1g sugar, 4g protein, 3g net carbs
Try this delicious keto recipe!
THE PROTEIN SHAMROCK SHAKE
MAKES 1 SHAKE
WHATCHU NEED:
1 very ripe banana, sliced and frozen
1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (I use Silk)
1 cup baby spinach, de-stemmed, loosely packed (don't panic, you can't even taste it!)
1 scoop vanilla protein powder (I use Naked Nutrition's Vanilla Less Naked Whey)
4 regular-sized ice cubes
1 1/2 teaspoons granulated stevia* (I use the brand Pyure)
1/4 teaspoon pure mint extract
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
WHATCHU DO:
Throw everything in the blender and blend until all spinach bits are puréed.
NOTES:
*Each brand of stevia, as well as any other non-calorie sweetener, varies greatly in sweetness. Start by adding 1 teaspoon at a time and taste test it until you reach your desired sweetness. The amount in this recipe is my preferred sweetness (and I have a pretty strong sweet tooth!).
Of course you can add more extract for a stronger flavor, add more spinach for a stronger color, or more ice or milk for a different consistency. Just keep tasting and tweaking to get your desired taste.
I prefer not to use food coloring because of the dyes, but you can use a few drops to achieve a brighter green. If using food coloring, you can omit the spinach if you'd like.
Nutritional Information: 322 Calories, 5g fat, 44g carbohydrates, 5g fiber, 21g sugar (from natural sources), 28g protein, 39g net carbs
More Protein Recipes
THE DAIRY-FREE SHAMROCK SHAKE
MAKES 1 SHAKE
WHATCHU NEED:
1 very ripe banana, sliced and frozen
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk (the kind in the dairy section NOT in the can, I use Silk)
1 cup baby spinach, de-stemmed, loosely packed (don't panic, you can't even taste it!)
4 regular-sized ice cubes
2 teaspoons granulated stevia* (I use the brand Pyure)
1/4 teaspoon pure mint extract
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
WHATCHU DO:
Throw everything in the blender and blend until all spinach bits are puréed.
NOTES:
*Each brand of stevia, as well as any other non-calorie sweetener, varies greatly in sweetness. Start by adding 1 teaspoon at a time and taste test it until you reach your desired sweetness. The amount in this recipe is my preferred sweetness (and I have a pretty strong sweet tooth!).
Of course you can add more extract for a stronger flavor, add more spinach for a stronger color, or more ice or milk for a different consistency. Just keep tasting and tweaking to get your desired taste.
I prefer not to use food coloring because of the dyes, but you can use a few drops to achieve a brighter green. If using food coloring, you can omit the spinach if you'd like.
Nutritional Information: 158 Calories, 8g fat, 27g carbohydrates, 4g fiber, 14g sugar (from natural sources), 2g protein, 23g net carbs
Try these delicious dairy-free recipes!
THE VEGAN/VEGETARIAN SHAMROCK SHAKE
MAKES 1 SHAKE
WHATCHU NEED:
1 very ripe banana, sliced and frozen
1 cup baby spinach, de-stemmed, loosely packed (don't panic, you can't even taste it!)
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk (the kind in the dairy section NOT in the can, I use Silk)
1/2 avocado (again, don't panic)
4 regular-sized ice cubes
2 teaspoons granulated stevia* (I use the brand Pyure)
1/4 teaspoon pure mint extract
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
WHATCHU DO:
Throw everything in the blender and blend until all spinach bits are puréed.
NOTES:
*Each brand of stevia, as well as any other non-calorie sweetener, varies greatly in sweetness. Start by adding 1 teaspoon at a time and taste test it until you reach your desired sweetness. The amount in this recipe is my preferred sweetness (and I have a pretty strong sweet tooth!).
Of course you can add more extract for a stronger flavor, add more spinach for a stronger color, or more ice or milk for a different consistency. Just keep tasting and tweaking to get your desired taste.
I prefer not to use food coloring because of the dyes, but you can use a few drops to achieve a brighter green. If using food coloring, you can omit the spinach if you'd like.
Nutritional Information: 283 Calories, 20g fat (healthy fats), 41g carbohydrates, 14g fiber, 15g sugar (from natural sources), 5g protein, 27g net carbs
More Vegan Recipes
THE COPYCAT SHAMROCK SHAKE
MAKES 1 SHAKE
WHATCHU NEED:
1 cup Vanilla Ice Cream (I recommend the all-natural brand Turkey Hill) OR frozen yogurt
1 cup baby spinach, de-stemmed, loosely packed (Don't panic, you can't even taste it!)
1/2 cup whole milk OR preferred milk
1/4 teaspoon pure mint extract
Optional: Whipped cream
WHATCHU DO:
Throw everything in the blender and blend until all spinach bits are puréed.
NOTES:
Of course you can add more extract for a stronger flavor, add more spinach for a stronger color, or more milk for a different consistency. Just keep tasting and tweaking to get your desired taste.
I prefer not to use food coloring because of the dyes, but you can use a few drops to achieve a brighter green. If using food coloring, you can omit the spinach if you'd like.
Nutritional Information: 352 Calories, 19g fat, 39g carbohydrates, 2g fiber, 34g sugar, 10g protein
Try these delicious healthy desserts!
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